New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy today announced that American Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award winner Sam Bush will headline the 2022 Hops and Harvest Festival at the Empire State Plaza from 5 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, September 14.

Held for the first time in 2018, the Hops and Harvest Festival celebrates the best of what autumn has to offer in upstate New York, including great beers crafted by several of the most innovative breweries New York State has to offer, food, and amazing musical performances.

With free performances by headliner Sam Bush, and special guests Beg, Steal or Borrow, and The North & South Dakotas, bluegrass fans will not want to miss this year’s Hops and Harvest Festival at the Empire State Plaza.

Sam Bush is considered an originator of American progressive bluegrass. He took home three-straight International Bluegrass Music Association Mandolin Player of the Year awards, 1990-92 (and a fourth in 2007). He’s released seven albums and a live DVD over the past two decades. In 2009, the Americana Music Association awarded Bush the Lifetime Achievement Award for Instrumentalist.

Adults with proper identification will be able to purchase a variety of New York State craft beers and ciders from the Ithaca Beer Company, Brown’s Brewing Company, Adirondack Brewery, Druthers Brewing Company, Saranac Brewery, Wolf Hollow Brewing Company, Indian Ladder Farms Cidery and Brewery, and Brewery Ommegang. 

In addition to the beer, food, and music, there will be opportunities to learn about farming and whiskey distilling, as well as activities the whole family can enjoy, including a pie-eating contest and yard games. 

Performance schedule: 

5:15 p.m.       The North and South Dakotas

6:45 p.m.      Beg, Steal or Borrow

7:45 p.m.      Sam Bush 

Free parking is available after 4 p.m. in the East Garage and the Madison Avenue and Grand Street parking lots. Paid parking is available in the visitor lot underneath the Plaza.

For event updates and additional information, visit empirestateplaza.ny.gov, @EmpireStatePlaza on Facebook, and @plazaevents on Twitter, or call (518) 474-4759.

Sponsors of the Hops and Harvest Festival include the Times Union, Albany Renaissance Hotel, DeCrescente Distributing, and PYX 106.